Self-closing dust bag for a vacuum cleaner



Feb. 17, 1970 R. v. BIXLER E TAL SELF-CLOSING nus'r BAG FOR A VACUUMcmmmn 2 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed April 21, 1967 IN VENTORS mgv a-fiisw E Z60 z ,2 Z THEIR ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1970 R. v. BIXLER L v SELF-CLOSINGDUST BAG FOR A VACUUI CLEANER Filed April 21. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS United States Patent O US. Cl. 55-367 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Disposable paper dust bags for vacuum cleaners consist of afilter bag having an end closure plate attached to the open end of thebag. The end closure plate is composed of two cardboard discs adheredtogether. The bag is attached to one disc having an opening therein. Theouter disc, which is remote from the bag, is die cut to form a pluralityof hinged flaps integral with this disc and defining a normally closedopeing therein. Sandwiched between the disc is an elastic member havinga slit or opening in its center portion which cooperates with the flapswhen a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner is pushed against the flaps ofthe outer disc; the fiaps being thereby pivoted into the bag andstretching the elastic member. When the suction tube is removed from thebag the flaps are closed by the elastic member for sealing dirt and dustwithin the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Self-closing dust bags for vacuum cleanersare known from US. Patents 2,483,169, 2,547,805 and 2,596,808.

Dust bags for vacuum cleaners may remain in the cleaner for periods oftime extending from a few hours to several weeks depending on the use ofthe cleaner. During this time the vacuum cleaner suction tube extendsthrough the end closure disc and into the bag. When the tube is removedafter several hours or weeks, the suction tube opening in the disc mustbe closed to prevent the bag contents from being spilled while the bagis being removed from the cleaner and disposed of. The end covercontributes significantly to the cost of dust bags and while the bagdisclosed in the last of the above mentioned patents has been insuccessful use for many years it is expensive because of the latexrubber used for sealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of this invention is toprovide an inexpensive end closure for a vacuum cleaner dust bag havinga plurality of flaps formed integral with the end closure disc by diecutting. The flaps are configured, hinged and associated with a smallelastic member approximately /3 the area of the seal presently used sothat the flaps and the elastic member are relieved of undue strain toinsure proper operation. The resultant construction according to theinvention provides significant economies over the prior art end closurefor dust bags without sacrificing dependable operation under theconditions imposed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description of several embodiments thereof illustratedin the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of adisposable paper filter bag for a vacuum cleaner having an end closureplate according to the invention.

3,495,386 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 FIG. 2 is a plan view on an enlargedscale of an end closure plate according to one embodiment of ourinvention in open position prior to being folded and attached to a bagas shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the operation of theend closure plate for a dust bag according to the invention with avacuum cleaner suction tube inserted through the end closure and intothe bag.

FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment ofthe invention on a reduced scale.

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view illustrating a modification of thearrangement disclosed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view illustrating a modification of thearrangement disclosed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 of another modificationaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate various flap configurations which may beutilized in accordance wiht the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 reference numeral 10refers to a disposable, porous paper dust collector or bag of the typeused in vacuum cleaners. The bag or sack 10 is closed by a fold 11 atone end, the other end, which is provided with an opening 12, isattached to an end closure plate generally designated 13 consisting ofrelatively stiff cardboard or chipboard material. An opening in the endclosure plate 13 is shown closed in FIG. 1 by a pair of flaps designated14. The end closure plate 13 as seen in FIG. 1 comprises a pair of discs15 and 16 which may be connected by a fold line 17 (FIG. 2). The discs15 and 16 are folded and cemented together (as shown in FIG. 1) with asuitable adhesive prior to attaching the bag 10.

Details of the end closure discs 15 and 16 according to the firstembodiment of the invention are seen in FIG. 2. The disc 15 has a pairof flaps 14 formed therein by die cutting. The flaps are hinged at line18 so that they separate or open along the part line 19 and pivot intothe opening 30 inthe disc 16 as seen in FIG. 3. At each end of the partline 19 a tab 20 is for-med, also by die cutting the material of disc15, and each of the tabs 20 are hinged or pivoted at line 21independently of the flaps 14. Each flap contains a score line 22 whichextends along the flap between part line 19 and hinge line 18 to allowthe flaps to bend i.e. so that they will conform to the shape of thesuction tube S by bending at the score line 22 (FIG. 3). The score line22 may be inclined or curved slightly for this purpose also. The disc 16is preferably provided with a generally cruciform opening 30 defined bythe four fingers 40 which are hinged at 41, and a pair of opposed tabs33. An elastic band 31 is attached to both the disc 16 and tabs 33 by asuitable adhesive. Additional adhesive is applied to one or both discs15, 16 for uniting the disc when folded on line 17 and brought togetherand also for adhering the other side of the band 31 to the adjacentsurfaces and tabs 20 of disc 15. That is, band 31, when sandwichedbetween the two discs 15 and 16, is adhered to both discs 15 and 16 andto both tabs 20 and 33. Since the tabs 20 are connected to disc 15 theassociated hinge line 21 is offset with respect to hinge line 34 of tabs33 so that when the tabs turn about their respective hinge lines theelastic band is not subject to an axial shear force created by relativemovement of the overlying tabs 20 and 33.

As indicated in FIG. 3 the suction tube of a vacuum cleaner pushes theflaps 14 and the tabs 33 and 20 (not seen) into the apertures 30 of thedisc 16. The flaps therefore engage the elastic band 31 for the purposeof closing the flaps when the suction tube S is removed. To this endband 31 is provided with an elongated opening 32 through which thesuction tu-be S will fit when the strips 31a, 31b of the band 31 aremoved apart by the flaps 14.

In FIG. 3 the fingers 40 are not shown in order to show a less complexview of the location of the elastic band and flaps when a suction tubeof a vacuum cleaner is inserted through the end closure plate. Also,fingers 40 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 are not necessary for holding thebands 31a, 31b on the flaps as explained hereinafter in connection withFIG. 4, but may be provided to prevent direct access of dirt and dust inthe bag 10 passing through the end plate 13 if the flaps are permanentlythough slightly curved after prolonged use in a cleaner.

In order to further increase the surface area holding the band 31, tabs20 and 33 may be enlarged by axially extending the tabs and if desired ascore line similar to score line 22 can be provided on the tabs 20 and33 in order that the tabs may be bent when the suction tube is insertedthrough the end plate.

It is noted that the adhesive applied to the discs 1 and/or 16 forsecuring the discs together need not be applied to the flaps 14.

The next embodiment according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4,which is a view similar to FIG. 2 in that an end closure is shown in anopened position prior to folding the discs 15' and 16' upon one anotherand securing them together with an adhesive. A feature of thisembodiment resides in the incorporation of fingers 40 which are die cutfrom the cardboard material of disc 16, and are hinged or pivoted on ascore line 41. The fingers 40 are provided to engage the elastic band31' which is slit at 42 in order to prevent slippage of the bandrelative to the flaps 14'. That is, when the flaps are pushed into theopening 30 the elastic band 31" opens or parts at the slit 42 and theband strips 31a, 31b may slide over the associated flap toward the hingeline 18" which would result in the faiiure of the flap to close underthe influence of the band due to the loss of leverage i.e. when the bandremains adjacent to the part lines 19' of the respective flaps themaximum closing force of the band is applied to the flap, but if theband slips to a position adjacent the score line 18' of the flaps, aminimum closing force is applied to the flap which may result in oniypartial flap closure resulting in insmficient sealing and spillage ofthe dust and dirt contained in the bag. A modification of the secondembodiment is shown in FIG. in which two fingers 40 are shown Which arepositioned to extend axially over the center portion of the flaps 14'and are hinged on a score line which is parallel with the flap hingeline 18'. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a modified form of elastic band 31" inwhich a fillet hole 48 is provided at each end of the slit 42 to preventtearing.

With reference to FIG. 6, it is also contemplated to eliminate thefingers 40, 40' of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 on the disc 16', andin lieu of these fingers a line 45 of adhesive is applied to each flap14 for tacking the elastic band 31' or 31" to the flaps 14'. The use ofglue lines 45 have the additional advantage that the band 31, 31 cannotsnap over the edge of the flap defining the part line 19 if the band isoffset or skewed with reference to the part line of the flaps.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 which the band 31has an elongated opening 32 as seen in FIG. 2 and fingers are utilizedfor preventing the elastic band strips 31a, 31b from sliding toward thepivot axis of the flaps 14" as explained above. To prevent the strips31a", 31b" from slipping over the edge of a flap defining the part line19" (as explained above with reference to glue line 45) the disc 15" isprovided with a pair of opposed projections 50 which extend over theelastic strip (shown in phantom relative to disc 14") so that the apexend 51 of the projections 50 will pivot into the opening 32 in theelastic band 31 when the discs 15" and 16" are folded and adheredtogether and the suction tube S is inserted into the bag (FIG. 3). Whenthe flaps 14" are forced against the band 31 (assuming the discs to beunited) the projections 50 pivot at score line 18 and the apex end 51 ofthe projections engage in the ends of the aperture 32. As a result thestrips 31a, 31b are centered over the part line 19 or are held againstthe respective flap to prevent either of the strips 31a", 31b" fromslipping over the part line edge of the respective flaps. In thisembodiment it is noted that the elastic strip is not attached to theprojections 50.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a number of flap configurations which maybe utilized in lieu of those already shown. In FIG. 8 a plurality offour flaps are shown each of which is hinged to the disc 15" at scoreline 18. An elastic band 31 having fillet holes 48 is shown in phantomlines in this figure to show the relationship of the flaps and theelastic band when the discs 15 and 16 are adhered together and alsoindicate that the elastic strip may be applied to disc 15 instead ofdisc 16. Also any of the previously disclosed elastic stripmodifications may be utilized with the flaps 80. It will be noted thatwhile the four flaps 80 define two part lines 19" the slit or aperturein the elastic band is only coplanar with one of the part lines.

The flap configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to that shownin FIG. 2, except that the scalloped part line 19 of FIG. 2 is replacedby an ofiset or lip 91 in one iiap 14 which extends into a correspondinrecess in the opposite flap. Also the tab in this modification is notnecessarily attached to the elastic band 31 as is the case in theembodiment according to FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 9 when the suction tubeis removed from the vacuum cleaner and the flaps 14 are closed by thestrip 31 the band 31b of the strip 31 is caught over the lip 91 and istherefore exposed to view. However, the flaps 14" are sufiicientlyclosed to prevent ieakage. In FIG. 10 the lip 91' is more exaggeratedand the elastic band is caught by the lip 91 as well as the ears 9?.formed in the other flap having the recess corresponding to the lip 91.

What is claimed is:

1. An end closure plate for a vacuum cleaner dust bag including asubstantially flat relatively rigid first disc member, a pair ofadjacent flap members disposed substantiaily centrally of and integralwith said first disc member, means for pivotally securing said fiapmembers on said first disc member, said flaps each having an edge whichcooperates with the respective edge of the other flap for defining apart line therebetween when said flaps are in a closed positionsubstantially in the plane of said first disc member, means consistingof elastic material defining a pair of band portions, said band portionsoverlying said flaps for urging each of said flaps into said closedposition, said elastic band portions overlying each of said flapsadjacent said part line and being substantially parallel with said partline; a second disc member connected to said first disc member, saidsecond disc member having an opening for receiving said flaps 1n theopen position thereof, said elastic band portions bemg positionedbetween said first and second disc; and means for maintaining saidelastic band portions adacent the edges of said flaps comprising atleast one pair of finger members, said finger members bein integral withsaid second disc and being pivotal relative to said second disc, saidfinger members engaging said elastic band portions in the openedposition of said flaps for preventing movement of said elastic bandportions away from the said edge of the associated flap.

2. An end closure plate according to claim 1 with the addition of ascore line on each said flap, said score line allowing said flaps tobend and thereby conform to the shape of an object passing through theopening defined in said disc by said flaps in the open position thereof.

3. An end closure plate according to claim 1 with the addition of afilter bag connected to said second disc member.

4. An end closure piate for a vacuum cleaner dust bag including asubstantially flat relatively rigid first disc member, a pair ofadjacent flap members disposed substantially centrally of an integralwith said first disc member for defining an opening through said firstdisc member, means for pivotally securing said flap members on saidfirst disc member, said flaps each have an edge which cooperates withthe respective edge of the other flap for defining a part linetherebetween when said flaps are in a closed position substantially inthe plane of said first disc member, means consisting of elasticmaterial defining a pair of band portions, said band portions overlyingsaid flaps for urging each of said flaps into said closed position, saidelastic band portions overlying each of said flaps adjacent said partline and being substantially parallel with said part line; a second discmember connected to said first disc member, said second disc memberhaving an openin for receiving said flaps in the open position thereof,said elastic band portions being positioned between said first andsecond discs; and means for maintaining said elastic band portionsadjacent the edges of said flaps comprising a first pair of opposed tabmembers integral with said first disc, said tab members being pivotalrelative to said first disc and normally residing in the plane thereof,said tab members extending inwardly toward the midpoint of said flaps,and means for connecting said tabs and said elastic means.

5. An end closure plate according to claim 4 with the addition of ascore line on each said flap, said score line allowing said flaps tobend and thereby conform to the shape of an object passing through theopening defined in said disc by said flaps in the open position thereof.

6. An end closure according to claim 4 with the addition of a secondpair of tab members integral with said second disc and pivotal relativethereto, said second pair of tab members being aligned with said firsttab members and means for connecting said second pair of tab members andsaid elastic means.

7. An end closure plate according to claim 4 with the addition of afilter bag connected to said second disc member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,070,674 2/1937 Muentener 55-3672,446,571 8/1948 Browne 137-525.1 2,543,556 2/1951 Senne 55-3672,574,683 11/1951 Anderson 55-367 2,782,934 2/1957 Maysilles 137525.1 X3,108,736 10/1963 Anderson et a1. 22962.5 3,148,696 9/1964 Hoke137-525.1 X 3,176,450 4/1965 Weinstein 22962.5 X 3,237,846 3/1966 Brown22962.5 3,245,428 4/1966 Klimek et al. 137-493 3,283,481 11/1966 Studleyet a1. 137-525.1 X 3,383,030 5/1968 Downey 22962.5

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner DENNIS E. TALBERT, JR., AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

